“This is hard work,” Lady Gaga said onstage, while accepting the Best Original Song award at the 91st Academy Awards last night. “I’ve worked hard for a long time, and it’s not about winning — but what it’s about is not giving up.” The singer and actress, who won Best Original Song for “Shallow” — the hit song from A Star is Born, appeared tearful and grateful as she delivered her emotional speech. Gaga thanked her family members, her support system, and reminded us all how to truly succeed — by working (smartly) toward your goals, and following your passion.
“If you have a dream, fight for it,” she continued. “There’s a discipline for passion. And it’s not about how many times you get rejected, or you fall down, or you’re beaten up. It’s about how many times you stand up, and are brave, and you keep on going.”
Gaga’s speech echoes much of the wisdom she has imparted on audiences in the past, as she’s spoken often about the passion behind her art, her dedication to her music, and her personal struggles. “You have to be unique, and different, and shine in your own way,” she said at the Grammy Awards last year.
Finally, Gaga showed us that every success is buttressed by the people around you. She and her co-star Bradley Cooper, who wrote and directed the film, performed the captivating hit, “Shallow,” earlier in the night — and in her speech, she reaffirmed her gratitude toward Cooper. “There’s not a single person on the planet who could have sung this song with me but you,” she told him. “Thank you for believing in us.”
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